Marine propulsor

Abstract

A marine propulsor for submersible vessels or surface vessels powered by underwater propulsion units. A shaftless motor with disk-shaped rotor and stator(s) is mounted in the vessel structure with a blade hub mounted on the rotor, the hub including propeller blades extending beyond the circumference of the vessel housing. The motor is substantially iron-free with much of the rotor/stator volume being occupied by windings, thus providing sufficient power without taking up substantial space or adding burdensome weight. The rotor is journal mounted in the vessel and circumferential thrust bearing assemblies are provided around the rotor/blade hub assembly. A water cooling/lubricating system is provided for the bearings and rotor/stator(s). Power is supplied individually to two stators mounted on either side of the rotor to control electromagnetic forces on the rotor to offset thrust forces and to reduce the magnitude of propulsor induced structural vibration. Rotor excitation current may be inductively supplied, or permanent magnets or low reluctance magnetic material may be mounted in the rotor. Sound insulation is interposed between stators and the vessel structure to dampen ac noise/vibrations. In a dual counter-rotating propulsor embodiment, a thrust transference member is interposed between propulsor assemblies.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body;   said body section including an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface; and wherein   said rotor is journalled on said inner housing.   
     
     
       2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said body section further includes a front housing portion;   a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on a peripheral area of said front housing portion around the circumference of said front housing portion; and   said rotor assembly includes a peripheral bearing surface for engagement with said plurality of thrust bearing assemblies.   
     
     
       3. A system as in claim 2 further comprising: a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body; and   said fluid passage extending from said body into said body section and radially through said rotor to cool said rotor and to supply cooling and lubricating fluid to a peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       4. A system as in claim 3 wherein said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumference surface.   
     
     
       5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said fluid passage extending into said body section further comprises a plurality of secondary fluid passages extending through said housing and having outlets formed on said housing outer circumferential surface between said spaced bearing plates, whereby said journal bearing is lubricated and cooled by fluid supplied through said fluid passage.   
     
     
       6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said rotor includes an inner circumferential bearing surface, and a plurality of tertiary fluid passages extending radially through said rotor, said tertiary passages having fluid inlets in said rotor inner bearing surface and fluid outlets in an outer peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said rotor fluid outlets supply fluid to lubricate and cool said thrust bearing assemblies through the centrifugal force caused by rotation of said rotor drawing fluid outwardly through said tertiary fluid passages.   
     
     
       8. A system as in claim 2 further including a fluid passage extending radially through said stator to cool said stator. 
     
     
       9. A system as in claim 1 including at least two disk-shaped stators with said rotor and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section; said stators being mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   said rotor being journal mounted in said body section;   an electrical source for providing power to said stators; and   means for varying the allocation of power provided between said at least two stators to electrically alter magnetic forces on said rotor, whereby propulsive thrust forces can be absorbed and propulsor induced structural vibration can be reduced.   
     
     
       10. A system as in claim 4 wherein said electrical source includes a variable frequency controller coupled to said stators, whereby the frequency of power supplied to said stators can be increased gradually from zero cycles/second.   
     
     
       11. A system as in claim 10 wherein said variable frequency controller is a cycloconverter. 
     
     
       12. A system as in claim 9 further including permanent magnets mounted in said rotor. 
     
     
       13. A system as in claim 12 further including low reluctance magnetic material mounted in said rotor. 
     
     
       14. A system as in claim 1 further including, means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said excitation means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       15. A system as in claim 1 wherein said rotor includes permanent magnets for producing a rotor magnetic field. 
     
     
       16. A system as in claim 1 including, at least two disk-shaped stators, said rotor and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section, and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       17. A system as in claim 1 including, at least two rotor assemblies including two disk-shaped rotors and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section and said propulsor blades being attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies, and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for applying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       18. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a shroud attached to said body and extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       19. A system as in claim 1 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       20. A system as in claim 1 wherein said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       21. A system as in claim 1 wherein said rotor and stator are substantially iron free. 
     
     
       22. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body;   said body section further including a front housing portion;   a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on a peripheral area of said front housing portion around the circumference of said front housing portion; and   said rotor assembly including a peripheral bearing surface for engagement with said plurality of thrust bearing assemblies.   
     
     
       23. A system as in claim 22 further including a rear housing portion; a thrust bearing assembly mounted on a peripheral area of said rear housing portion around the circumference of said rear housing portion; and   said rotor assembly including front and rear peripheral bearing surfaces for engagement with said thrust bearing assemblies.   
     
     
       24. A system as in claim 22 wherein said thrust bearing assembly comprises a plurality of spaced thrust bearing subassemblies arranged around the circumference of said housing portion. 
     
     
       25. A system as in claim 22 wherein said thrust bearing assembly is a single annular thrust bearing assembly. 
     
     
       26. A system as in claim 22 further including a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body; and   said fluid passage extending from said body into said body section and radially through said rotor to cool said rotor and to supply cooling and lubricating fluid to a peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       27. A system as in claim 22 including at least two disk-shaped stators, said rotor and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   said rotor being journal mounted in said body section;   an electrical source for providing power to said stators; and   means for varying the allocation of power provided between said two stators to electrically alter magnetic forces on said rotor, whereby propulsive thrust forces can be absorbed and propulsor induced structural vibration can be reduced.   
     
     
       28. A system as in claim 27 wherein said electrical source includes a variable frequency controller coupled to said stators, whereby the frequency of power supplied to said stators can be increased gradually from zero cycles/second.   
     
     
       29. A system as in claim 22 further including, means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said excitation means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       30. A system as in claim 22 wherein said body section includes an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface;   said rotor being journalled on said inner housing;   a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body;   said fluid passage extending from said body into said inner housing and to said journal bearing to lubricate and cool said journal bearing.   
     
     
       31. A system as in claim 30 wherein said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumferential surface.   
     
     
       32. A system as in claim 31 wherein said fluid passage extending into said housing further comprises a plurality of secondary fluid passages extending through said housing and having outlets formed on said housing outer circumferential surface between said spaced bearing plates, whereby said journal bearing is lubricated and cooled by fluid supplied through said fluid passage. 
     
     
       33. A system as in claim 32 wherein said rotor includes an inner circumferential bearing surface, and a plurality of tertiary fluid passages extending radially through said rotor, said tertiary passages having fluid inlets in said inner bearing surface and fluid outlets in an outer peripheral section of said rotor. 
     
     
       34. A system as in claim 33 wherein said rotor fluid outlets supply fluid to lubricate and cool said thrust bearing assemblies through the centrifugal force caused by rotation of said rotor drawing fluid outwardly through said tertiary fluid passages.   
     
     
       35. A system as in claim 22 including two stators and, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       36. A system as in claim 22 including, at least two rotor assemblies including two disk-shaped rotors and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for applying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       37. A system as in claim 22 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       38. A system as in claim 22 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       39. A system as in claim 22 wherein, said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       40. A system as in claim 22 wherein said rotor and stator are substantially iron free. 
     
     
       41. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body;   a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body; and   said fluid passage extending from said body into said body section and radially through said rotor to cool said rotor and to supply fluid for cooling and lubricating to a peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       42. A system as in claim 41 wherein said fluid passage extends radially through said stator to cool said stator. 
     
     
       43. A system as in claim 41 including two disk-shaped stators and wherein, said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   said rotor being journal mounted in said body section;   an electrical source for providing power to said stators; and   means for varying the allocation of power provided between said two stators to electrically alter magnetic forces on said rotor, whereby propulsive thrust forces can be absorbed and propulsor induced structural vibration can be reduced.   
     
     
       44. A system as in claim 43 wherein, said electrical source includes a variable frequency controller coupled to said stators, whereby the frequency of power supplied to said stators can be increased gradually from zero cycles/second.   
     
     
       45. A system as in claim 41 further including, means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said excitation means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       46. A system as in claim 41 wherein, said body section includes an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface;   said rotor being journalled on said inner housing; and   said fluid passage extending from said body into said inner housing and to said journal bearing to lubricate and cool said journal bearing.   
     
     
       47. A system as in claim 46 wherein, said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumferential surface.   
     
     
       48. A system as in claim 47 wherein, said fluid passage extending into said housing further comprises a plurality of secondary fluid passages extending through said housing and having outlets formed on said housing outer circumferential surface between said spaced bearing plates, whereby said journal bearing is lubricated and cooled by fluid supplied through said fluid passage.   
     
     
       49. A system as in claim 48 wherein, said rotor includes an inner circumferential bearing surface, and a plurality of tertiary fluid passages extending radially through said rotor, said tertiary passages having fluid inlets in said inner bearing surface and fluid outlets in an outer peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       50. A system as in claim 49 wherein, said body section further includes a front housing portion,   a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on an outer peripheral area of said front housing portion around the circumference of said front housing portion; and wherein   said rotor fluid outlets supply fluid to lubricate and cool said thrust bearing assemblies through the centrifugal force caused by rotation of said rotor drawing fluid outwardly through said tertiary fluid passages.   
     
     
       51. A system as in claim 41 including two stators and, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       52. A system as in claim 41 including, at least two rotor assemblies including two disk-shaped rotors, and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for applying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       53. A system as in claim 41 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       54. A system as in claim 41 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       55. A system as in claim 41 wherein, said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor:   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       56. A system as in claim 55 including, a shroud extending around said propulsor blades.   
     
     
       57. A system as in claim 56 wherein said shroud has a fluid inlet for channeling fluid to said body section for cooling and lubricating said propulsor. 
     
     
       58. A system as in claim 56 further including struts located before and after said propulsor blades to increase maneuverability. 
     
     
       59. A system as in claim 56 wherein said rotor, stator, and shroud are split to facilitate assembly within said body. 
     
     
       60. A system as in claim 41 wherein said rotor and stator are substantially iron free. 
     
     
       61. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least two disk-shaped stators, said rotor and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   said rotor being journal mounted in said body section;   an electrical source for providing power to said stators; and   means for varying the allocation of power provided between said at least two stators to provide a first magnitude of power to a first stator and a different second magnitude of power to a second stator to electrically alter magnetic forces on said rotor, whereby propulsive thrust forces can be absorbed and propulsor induced structural vibration can be reduced.   
     
     
       62. A system as in claim 61 wherein said electrical source includes a variable frequency controller coupled to said stators, whereby the frequency of power supplied to said stators can be increased gradually from zero cycles/second.   
     
     
       63. A system as in claim 62 wherein said controller is a cycloconverter. 
     
     
       64. A system as in claim 61 further including, means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said supply means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       65. A system as in claim 61 wherein, said body section includes an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface;   said rotor being journalled on said inner housing;   a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body;   said fluid passage extending from said body into said inner housing and to said journal bearing to lubricate and cool said journal bearing.   
     
     
       66. A system as in claim 65 wherein, said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumferential surface.   
     
     
       67. A system as in claim 66 wherein, said fluid passage extending into said housing further comprises a plurality of secondary fluid passages extending through said housing and having outlets formed on said housing outer circumferential surface between said spaced bearing plates, whereby said journal bearing is lubricated and cooled by fluid supplied through said fluid passage.   
     
     
       68. A system as in claim 67 wherein, said rotor includes an inner circumferential bearing surface, and a plurality of tertiary fluid passages extending radially through said rotor, said tertiary passages having fluid inlets in said inner bearing surface and fluid outlets in an outer peripheral section of said rotor.   
     
     
       69. A system as in claim 68 wherein, said body section further includes a front housing portion,   a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on an outer peripheral area of said front housing portion around the circumference of said front housing portion; and wherein   said rotor fluid outlets supply fluid to lubricate and cool said thrust bearing assemblies through the centrifugal force caused by rotation of said rotor drawing fluid outwardly through said tertiary fluid passages.   
     
     
       70. A system as in claim 61 including two stators and, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       71. A system as in claim 61 including, at least two rotor assemblies including two disk-shaped rotors, and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for supplying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       72. A system as in claim 61 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       73. A system as in claim 61 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       74. A system as in claim 61 wherein, said rotor assembly further includes a hub assembly, and   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly that is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       75. A system as in claim 74 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       76. A system as in claim 75 wherein said rotor, stator and shroud are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       77. A system as in claim 61 wherein said rotor and stator are substantially iron free. 
     
     
       78. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body;   means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said excitation means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       79. A system as in claim 78 including two stators and, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       80. A system as in claim 78 including, at least two rotor assemblies including two disk-shaped rotors, and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for supplying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       81. A system as in claim 78 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       82. A system as in claim 78 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       83. A system as in claim 78 wherein, said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       84. A system as in claim 83 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       85. A system as in claim 84 wherein said rotor, stator, and shroud are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       86. A system as in claim 78 wherein said rotor and stator are substantially iron free. 
     
     
       87. A system as in claim 78 further including a rotor excitation controller for varying rotor excitation. 
     
     
       88. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body;   said body section including an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface;   said rotor being journalled on said inner housing;   a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body;   said fluid passage extending from said body into said inner housing and to said journal bearing to lubricate and cool said journal bearing.   
     
     
       89. A system as in claim 88 wherein said fluid passage extends radially through said stator to cool said stator. 
     
     
       90. A system as in claim 88 wherein said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumferential surface.   
     
     
       91. A system as in claim 90 wherein said fluid passage extending into said housing further comprises a plurality of secondary fluid passages extending through said housing and having outlets formed on said housing outer circumferential surface between said spaced bearing plates, whereby said journal bearing is lubricated and cooled by fluid supplied through said fluid passage. 
     
     
       92. A system as in claim 91 wherein said rotor includes an inner circumferential bearing surface, and a plurality of tertiary fluid passages extending radially through said rotor, said tertiary passages having fluid inlets in said inner bearing surface and fluid outlets in an outer peripheral section of said rotor. 
     
     
       93. A system as in claim 92 wherein said body section further includes a front housing portion; a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on an outer peripheral area of said front housing portion around the circumference of said front housing portion; and wherein   said rotor fluid outlets supply fluid to lubricate and cool said thrust bearing assemblies through the centrifugal force caused by rotation of said rotor drawing fluid outwardly through said tertiary fluid passages.   
     
     
       94. A system as in claim 88 including two stators and, wherein said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       95. A system as in claim 88 including, at least two rotor assemblies including disk-shaped rotors and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for supplying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       96. A system as in claim 88 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       97. A system as in claim 88 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       98. A system as in claim 88 wherein, said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       99. A system as in claim 98 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       100. A system as in claim 99 wherein said rotor, stator, and shroud are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       101. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and at least two disk-shaped stators, said rotor and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body on either side of said rotor;   a power source for supplying alternating current to said stators; and   sound attenuating material interposed between said stators and said body to dampen alternating current vibrations of said body resulting from alternating current flowing through said stators.   
     
     
       102. A system as in claim 101 including, at least two rotor assemblies including disk-shaped rotors and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   said propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for applying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       103. A system as in claim 101 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       104. A system as in claim 101 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       105. A system as in claim 101 wherein, said rotor assembly includes a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       106. A system as in claim 105 further including a shroud attached to said body and extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       107. A system as in claim 106 wherein said rotor, stator, and shroud are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       108. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least two disk-shaped rotors and at least four disk-shaped stators, said rotors and stators being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   two rotor assemblies including said rotors;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of each of said rotor assemblies and extending beyond the periphery of said body; and wherein   said stators are mounted to said body with one stator arranged on either side of each of said rotors;   means for supplying alternating current to each of said stators such that said rotors rotate in opposite directions when current is supplied to said stators; and   thrust transference means interposed between said two rotor assemblies to transfer thrust from one rotor assembly to the other rotor assembly and to said body.   
     
     
       109. A system as in claim 108 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       110. A system as in claim 108 wherein said fluid is water and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       111. A system as in claim 108 wherein, said rotor assemblies include hub assemblies,   said propulsor blades are mounted on said hub assemblies which are removably attached to said rotors;   said rotors being removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stators being removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       112. A system as in claim 111 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       113. A system as in claim 112 wherein said rotors, stators, and shroud are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       114. A system as in claim 108 wherein said thrust transference means is fixed to said body and thrust from each rotor assembly is transferred directly to said body through thrust bearing assemblies. 
     
     
       115. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; and   a shroud extending around said propulsor blades, wherein said shroud includes a fluid inlet for channeling fluid to said body section for cooling and lubricating said rotor and stator.   
     
     
       116. A system as in claim 115 further including struts located before and after said propulsor blades to increase maneuverability. 
     
     
       117. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with a disk-shaped rotor and a disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said first body section;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; and wherein   a rotor assembly including a rotor and a hub assembly;   said propulsor blades re mounted on said hub assembly which is removably attached to said rotor;   said rotor is removably journal mounted to said body section; and   said stator is removably mounted to said body, whereby said propelling system can be mounted in stages within said body.   
     
     
       118. A system as in claim 117 wherein said rotor and stator are split to facilitate assembly in said body. 
     
     
       119. A system as in claim 117 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades, and said rotor, stator, and shroud being split to facilitate mounting in said body. 
     
     
       120. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; wherein   said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section;   said body section further includes front and rear housing portions;   a plurality of spaced thrust bearing assemblies mounted on peripheral areas of said front and rear housing portions around the circumference of said front and rear housing portions; and   said rotor assembly including front and rear peripheral bearing surfaces of engagement with said plurality of thrust bearing assemblies.   
     
     
       121. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; wherein   said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section;   said body section further includes front and rear housing portions;   an annular thrust bearing assembly mounted on a peripheral area of each of said front and rear housing portions around the circumference of said front and rear housing portions; and   said rotor assembly including front and rear peripheral bearing surfaces for engagement with said annular thrust bearing assemblies.   
     
     
       122. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; wherein   said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section; and   means for inductively supplying excitation current to said rotor, said excitation means including primary coils in said stator and secondary coils and rectifiers in said rotor.   
     
     
       123. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; wherein   said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10l% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section; and   wherein permanent magnets are mounted in said rotor.   
     
     
       124. A system for propelling a body through a fluid comprising: a body section having a generally cylindrical configuration;   a propulsor mounted within said body section;   said propulsor including a shaft-free motor with at least one disk-shaped rotor and at least one disk-shaped stator, said rotor and stator being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said body section;   a rotor assembly including said rotor;   said propulsor including propulsor blades attached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor assembly and extending beyond the periphery of said body; wherein   said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section;   said body section includes an inner, substantially cylindrical housing having an outer circumferential surface;   a journal bearing mounted on said housing outer circumferential surface;   said rotor being journalled on said inner housing;   a fluid supply connected to a fluid passage in said body; and   said fluid passage extending from said body into said inner housing and to said journal bearing to lubricate and cool said journal bearing.   
     
     
       125. A system as in claim 124 further including a shroud extending around said propulsor blades. 
     
     
       126. A system as in claim 124 wherein said fluid is water, and said rotor and stator operate in water and under submergence water pressure. 
     
     
       127. A system as in claim 124 wherein, said journal bearing comprises a plurality of spaced bearing plates attached to said housing outer circumferential surface.   
     
     
       128. A system as in claims 1, 22, 61, 101, 108 or 117, wherein said disk-shaped rotor and stator have a radial dimension that is at least 10% of the nominal diameter of said generally cylindrical body section at the point where said propulsor is mounted within said body section.